The Ultimate Guide to Your Marriage License

Mar 28

Wedding planning is all fun and games, but let’s not forget the most important part: The Marriage License! Without it, you can’t be legally married, so it’s really important to take the time to do your research at least 90 days out from your wedding day to be sure you have everything in order.

What is a Marriage License?

A marriage license is a legal permit, obtained from the county registrar, that allows a couple to legally marry, and it's a prerequisite for a legally recognized marriage

Marriage licenses are issued to couples based on their legal wedding ceremony location, therefore, before applying for a marriage license, you will need to settle on a location. Once you know in which municipality (city, district and county) your nuptials will take place, you'll need to locate where to obtain the license and learn whether they schedule walk-in visits or offer marriage license online applications. Be aware that the rules can vary by region and state

There is a specific time window around your wedding date within which you must apply, receive, sign and submit your marriage license. You should plan to file as early as 90 days or at least one week before your wedding. Furthermore, a marriage license can expire so you must get your timing right for the jurisdiction.

Requirements to Getting Your Marriage License:

Before you even go in to apply for a marriage license, make sure you meet these requirements:

Both parties must be 18 years of age or older.
You must be legally competent to enter into a civil contract.
You cannot be already married to someone else or to each other.

How to Get a Marriage License:

When you go in to apply for a marriage license, there are a few key elements you’ll need to bring with you. Make sure to go over this list with your spouse, and set aside the items you’ll need to bring. It’s also important to remember that when applying for a marriage license, you’ll need to do so at the county registrar in the county you’re having your ceremony in, not the county where you reside.

You must apply for a marriage license with the county registrar in the county where you want the marriage license to be issued. Each state differs on when they reccommend you apply for your marriage license, so be sure to do your research ahead of time.
- Currently in Iowa, you should apply at least two weeks out from your ceremony, and there is a 3 day waiting period before the license is issued and your marriage can occur. Some counties in Iowa also require that a third party that knows the couple be present when applying for their license.
- Currently in Colorado, you can apply for a marriage license at any time, but you must have your ceremony within 35 days of recieving your license.
Both parties must be present to apply for the license.
You'll both need to provide identification, such as a driver's license or passport.
The marriage license application process may also ask you if you're changing your surname after marriage, so we highly recommend having that discussion well before you file for one rather than deciding on the spot.
There is a fee, currently $35 in Iowa or $30 in Colorado.
Depending on the location's office hours and procedure you may receive it in person at the time of application or receive it by mail a few days later.
Marriage License ID Requirements:
- Proof of age (birth certificate)
- Parental consent if underage (usually under 18 years of age); you may also need a court order in this case
- Photo id (driver's license, state ID card, military ID, passport or birth certificate)
- Social security number
- Proof of citizenship and/or residence
- Both your parents' full birth names, birth dates and birth states. If they are deceased, the date of their passing.
- Divorce decree, if divorced
- Death certificate, if widowed

After the Wedding Ceremony

After your wedding ceremony, you and your spouse, officiant, and two witnesses will sign the marriage license, making it a marriage certificate. Your officiant will then take the certificate/license, and send it in to the county clerks office within a certain amount of days after your wedding. After the county clerk recieves it, a certified copy will be sent to the couple, and can be used to change names, drivers licenses, insurance, and social security information.

Witnesses- Typically, the best man and maid-of-honor or parents act as witnesses, but this doesn't have to be the case. The usual requirement is that a marriage license witness needs to be old enough to know that they are witnessing a marriage ceremony (usually over 18 years of age) and must be able to sign their own name without assistance.
The officiant is a legal official—justice of the peace, county or court clerk, a judge, magistrate or notary public. Exact requirements vary from state to state (and county to county in some cases).
The officiant submits the signed marriage license to be certified by local officials within a time limit given by the county.

Marriage License FAQ:

Where do you get a marriage license?

You get a marriage license in the county/region where you plan to get legally married.

When do you get a marriage license?

There is a specific window around your wedding date within which you must apply, receive, sign and submit your marriage license. You should plan to file as early as 90 days or at least one week before your wedding.

How long does a marriage license last?

Most marriage licenses are only valid for a period of time and then expire—anywhere between 10 days and a year—during which you must have the wedding ceremony, sign the license (together with your officiant and witnesses) and file for a certified marriage record (the signed marriage license is usually submitted by the officiant).